When my sister and I headed to the opening night of The Silence of the Lambs at New Theatre Peterborough, I was curious to see how such an iconic film would translate to the stage. My sister had never seen the film, so she went in without knowing what was coming, which made the evening even more interesting!
John Partridge steals the show
We were both completely drawn in by John Partridge as Dr Hannibal Lecter. There’s something about his stage presence that makes you feel uneasy, and we both jumped more than once! He has that unsettling combination of charm and menace that makes Lecter such a fascinating character to watch.
My sister had no idea that Lecter escaped, so there were some genuine surprises for her. I won’t spoil anything for anyone who hasn’t seen the story, but it was quite fun knowing what was coming while watching her experience it for the first time.
Mollie Gallagher plays Clarice Starling, bringing determination and vulnerability to a character who finds herself in some pretty intense situations. Oliver Farnworth plays Agent Jack Crawford, while Sam Jackson takes on the role of Buffalo Bill. It’s a strong cast tackling a story that isn’t exactly light viewing!
Bringing the story to the stage
One of the things I was most interested in was how the production would handle the settings. The prison and Buffalo Bill’s lair are such distinctive locations in the film, and I found myself wondering how they would recreate these very different environments on stage.
Film has the luxury of changing locations and camera angles, whereas theatre has to find its own way of drawing the audience into each scene. It’s something I always find interesting when a well-known film is adapted for the stage, particularly one where the settings play such an important part in the story.
The tension is a big part of what makes The Silence of the Lambs work, and seeing it performed live gives the story a different feel. There’s no screen between you and the characters, and with Lecter in particular, that certainly keeps you on your toes!
A lovely night out with my sister
It was lovely to share the experience with my sister, especially as she was discovering the story for the first time. It’s not often you get to watch someone experience a film you’ve known for years without them having any idea what’s going to happen.
The production gave us plenty to talk about, and it was a great excuse for a sisterly night out.
I also want to give a special mention to the team at New Theatre Peterborough. From the friendly staff at the ticket desk to the bar team and even the lady collecting our empty cups as we left, everyone we encountered was lovely and helpful.
These things might seem small, but they really do make a difference. It’s nice to feel welcome when you arrive somewhere, and the staff helped make our evening that little bit more special. They deserve a round of applause of their own!
Would I recommend it?
If you enjoy psychological thrillers, The Silence of the Lambs is worth considering for a night at the theatre. John Partridge’s performance as Lecter was a particular highlight for us, and it was fascinating to see how this familiar story was brought to the stage.
For me, it was the combination of a gripping story, some genuine jumpy moments and a lovely evening out with my sister that made the night enjoyable.
My verdict? A dark and engaging night at the theatre, with a memorable performance from John Partridge. And if you’re taking someone who hasn’t seen the film, don’t tell them too much beforehand. Watching them discover the story for themselves is half the fun!
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